Illuminating device for microscopes



Sept. 20, 1938. H HEW}; 2,130,493

I ILLUMINATING DEVICE FOR MICROSCOPE-S Filed Aug. 3, 1955 Patented Sept.20.

- PATENT OFFICE IILUMINATING DEVICE FOR MICROSCOPES Hermann Heine,Wetzlar, Germany, ass'ignor.to

Ernst Leitz G. m. b. R, Wetzlar, Germany Application August 3, 1935,Serial No. 34,590 y In Germany August 3, 1934 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminating devices formicroscopes with particular reference to a device whereby a ringilluminator may be quickly exchanged with a vertical or opaqueilluminator and vice versa without disturbing the centering or adjustedpositions of the objective field and the source of light.

A ring illuminator is an illuminating device for indirect illuminationof an object on the stage of a microscope. In such a device the lightrays pass horizontally from a light source to one side of themicroscopeto a ring iormed inclined plate a which reflects the lightdownwardly through the condenser unit of the'microscope in a ring formedbundle of light rays surrounding the objective and to the object. Avertical or opaque illuminator is an illuminating device in which theincoming horizontal light rays are directed toward a reflecting prism orreflecting 'glass plate which in turn directs the rays downwardlythrough the objective and to the object which in this case is ,beingilluminated by a circular spot of light. A greater or lesser. portion ofthe rays passes by reflection or diffraction upwards back to theobserving eye through the objective and eye piece. Both types ofilluminators are per se known to the art. In cases where the object isto be examined under conditions which require the alternate use of bothtypes of illuminators, or where the circumstances are such that severalobjects are to be examined under difljerent light conditions it isobviously a great advantage to be able to shift from one illuminatingdevice to another without disturbing other elements or factors whichenter into the examination.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby these aims maybe accomplished. In the accompanying drawing a Fig. 1 is a side view ofso much 01' a microscope equipped with the novel device as is necessaryfor an understanding of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail view diagrammatically illustrating an opaqueilluminator with parts in sec-' tion.

I Fig. 3 is a plan view with parts in section and parts broken away. I

Referring to Figure l the numeral 4 denotes a standard microscope whichis provided with a horizontal cut out M in which a slide 1 is adapted tobe moved, being guided in an undercut guide way i2. Below the cut out llthe microscope carries the usual lens condenser system 3b whichsurrounds the objective tube IS. The two illuminators are mounted sideby side upon the 55 slide 1 and form therewith a single unit which ismovable laterally in the guide way ii in the transverse cut out it. Thenumeral 5 denotes the ring illuminator; It consists of an optical systemiocated within the slide i and within a light entrance tube It andincludes an inclined 5 ring formed reflecting mirror in which surroundsa tube l9 which forms a continuation of the microscope l when the ringilluminator 6 is moved into optical alinement with the optical axis ofthe microscope in place of the opaque or 10 vertical illuminator 6 whichin Fig.- 3 is shown in optical alinement with the microscope tube. Inthe light entrance tube ii there is located suitable optical means, notshown, which directs the incoming light rays through the light entrancel5 tube to the mirror 311 from which the light is directed downwardthrough the condenser unit 3b which surrounds the objective tube l5.0!)- viously this arrangement provides a ringiormed beam of illuminationhence the name ring illuminator which is known in the art and disclosdin U. S. Patent 1,935,444, Nov. 14, 1938. Also disclosed in pamphletentitled "Leitz Illuminator: Ultropak", issued by Ernst Leitz,

Wetzlar, Germany, November 1931, see page 5.

The opaque or vertical illuminator, a term also well known in the art,is marked with the numeral G and comprises an optical system partlywithin the slide 1 and partly within a light entrance tube 22 secured tothe block 1. Within the latter are located an inclined reflecting glassplate 2 and a reflecting prism l. Within the light entrance tube 22there is locatedsuitable optical means, notshown, whereby the-incominglight rays are controlled in a well known man- 3 ner tor the purpose ofthe work in hand. The numerals 25, 21 and 29 refer to knobs whereby saidoptical means within the tube 22 may be manipulated. The opaque orvertical illuminator is shown and described in a pamphlet issued July1930 by E. Leitz, Inc. 01 New York entitled Leitz Vertical Illuminators,see page 3. Figure 3 also illustrates diagrammatically the illuminatingelements which constitute a source of light and which comprises a lampI, a polarizer 9 and a filter Ill, all suitably supported in a housingor the like ll of such construction that when the source of light isplaced in position it remains centered with respect to the optical axisor the objective tube It. vm

With the parts in the. positions shown in Figure 3 it is obvious thatthe microscope is ready for I examining an object by or with the opaqueilluminator it being then quite clear that the light rays irom the lightsource 8 to the plate '2 and u prism I from which the rays are reflecteddownwards through an opening and the objective tube [type ofillumination, the slide I is moved horizontally across-the microscopepast the light source thereby displacing theopaque illuminator andplacing the ring illuminator in the proper position between themicroscope tube and the light. This is clearly indicated in Figure 1.When desired, the slide I is again moved back to the position shown inFigure 3. Of course, when shifting from one illuminator-to another anysuitable stopping device known to the art may be used alining theiiluminators with the optical axis of the microscope as will beunderstood.

It will be noted that with respect to the ob- ,iective and its field asrelated to the object on the usual stage, not shown, nothing isdisturbed or moved while the type of illumination is changed.

It is apparent that numerous variations are possible, and I contemplateas within the scope oi my invention all such modifications andequivalents as fall within the'app'ended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in a microscope, a micrm scope tube, an objective tubein optical alinement with the microscope tube, a condensing lens systemsurrounding the objective'tube; a .slide. optical means on said slidefor directing incoming light rays downward through the objective tubeexclusive of the said condensing lens system, said optical meansincluding a downwardly reflecting glass plate and prism, other opticalmeans on said slide in side by side relation to the said named opticalmeans for directing incoming light rays downward through the saidcondensing lens system exclusive of said objective tube, said otheroptical means including a tube and an inclined ring-formed mirrorsurrounding the same, and means on the microscope for supporting thesaid slide to move transversely of the optical axis of the microscopewhereby to selec-' tively place either the said first named opticalmeans or the said named other optical means in operative opticalrelation with the optical axis of the said objective tube and condensinglens system and a source of light common to the said named opticalmeans. i v

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the microscope includes ahorizontally disposed recess for receiving the said slide and slidablysupporting and guiding the same above the said objective tube and abovethe said condensing lens system.

IERMANNHEINE.

